President Tinubu Writes Senate, Seeks Termination Of Appointments Of Three RECs, Increase in 2025 Budget

By Ayodele Oni

Two letters containing requests from President Bola Tinubu were read at the floor of the Senate on Wednesday during plenary.

One formally, requested an increase in the 2025 budget from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion.That is an addition of a whopping N4.5 trillion.

Tinubu’s letter was read during Wednesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

According to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the proposed increase stemmed from additional revenues as follows:

• N1.4 trillion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)

• N1.2 trillion from the Nigeria Customs Service

• N1.8 trillion generated by other government-owned agencies

The Senate President directed the request to the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations for swift consideration.

He said that the budget deliberation would be concluded and passed before the end of February.

The other letter sought the approval of the red chamber to terminate the appointments of three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The executive communication was also read at the plenary

The letter was titled: “Request to terminate the appointments of suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners of Adamawa, Sokoto and Abia States.

“In accordance with Section 157, Subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

“I hereby request the Senate to consider and vote for the termination of the appointments of the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioners of Adamawa, Sokoto and Abia states.

“The Senate is invited to note that the three Resident Electoral Commissioners have been suspended for misconduct since March 2022 before the advent of the current administration. I trust that the Senate will consider this request.”